The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has filed charges in the Lido Key jet ski collision that killed 19-year-old Baltimore Orioles prospect Luis Guevara, naming both the man who rented out one of the watercraft and one of the riders eight months after the crash. Guevara died two days after the June 15, 2025 collision, and his family, teammates and the local community have continued to mourn his loss.
Crash and Timeline
Investigators say the collision happened on June 15, 2025 just offshore of South Lido Beach when two personal watercraft slammed into each other head-on and all four riders were thrown into the water, according to ABC7/WWSB. Good Samaritans rushed in and pulled some of the injured to shore, and two people were transported to hospitals for treatment. Authorities kept the investigation active through the fall and winter before moving ahead with the enforcement actions this week.
Charges Filed
According to FOX 13 Tampa Bay, the FWC has filed violations against 44-year-old Salvador Manalili, the Sarasota man who rented one of the jet skis, and charged 21-year-old Jesus Palacios with violating a navigation rule. Manalili faces counts tied to operating a livery business without a valid permit, while police reports reviewed by reporters say Palacios told officers his jet ski "hit a wave and launched into the air" before he lost control and struck the other craft, according to Sports Illustrated. The FWC also issued a statement expressing sympathy to Guevara's family and friends.
Orioles Respond
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said the organization was "devastated" by Guevara's passing and asked for privacy for the player's family, friends and teammates, The Washington Post reported. Guevara had signed with Baltimore as an international free agent in 2023 and was making his stateside debut in the Florida Complex League at the time of the crash.
Local Safety Debate
The deadly collision reignited long-running concerns about motorized watercraft operating near South Lido, and Sarasota County commissioners took up possible new rules for the area last October, according to reporting by the Sarasota News Leader. Residents have pushed for clearer limits on rental operations, speeds and where personal watercraft can run close to swimmers and shorelines.
What Comes Next
The FWC said it has filed the enforcement actions and reiterated its condolences to Guevara's loved ones, as reported by FOX 13 Tampa Bay. Court dates and further procedural details were not immediately available, and the agency said the investigation remains open.
